Summary

"Answer Me, Girl" is a reflective poem about a woman confronting her fears and identity, ultimately finding courage within herself.

Abstract

The poem "Answer Me, Girl" delves into the introspective journey of a woman grappling with her self-identity and the burdens of her past. The narrative captures her physical and emotional tremors as she stands before her reflection, symbolizing her inner turmoil and struggle with self-acceptance. The golden hour serves as a backdrop, contrasting her internal coldness caused by insidious fear. The poem describes the transformation of a wedding band from a symbol of unity to one of self-hate and sacrifice, illustrating the weight of her emotional chains. The act of removing the ring signifies her liberation from the past and the beginning of her journey towards self-discovery and bravery. The poem concludes with the woman posing reflective questions to herself and answering with a whisper of her newfound identity as "Brave."

Opinions

The author conveys the woman's internal conflict between fear and courage, emphasizing the heavy burden of past commitments and the struggle for self-identity.
The poem suggests that self-reflection is a crucial step in overcoming fear and self-doubt, as seen in the protagonist's contemplation of her life choices.
The transformation from feeling shackled to embracing bravery highlights the theme of personal growth and empowerment.
The repeated question, "Who are you going to be, Girl?" underscores the pressure society places on women to define themselves, while the woman's ultimate self-definition challenges this norm.
The symbolism of the wedding band evolves throughout the poem, representing the shifting nature of relationships and their impact on personal identity.

RELATIONSHIPS | LIFE | POETRY | GROWTH

Answer Me, Girl

A poem of fear and courage.

Who are you Going to be, Girl?

Her knees rattled and Banged violent whispers As she stood trembling Before her reflection.

Through the glass pane Of the back door, The golden hour gave warmth To grass and Children’s playthings.

Her hands tucked snuggly Into her pockets, Icy, not from the weather, But from her mind.

Frozen by insidious fear.

A stroke of her thumb Against her ring finger, A reminder of how heavy That finger had become.

A band of unity, Once upon a time. The band repurposed itself Into an iron chain. A symbol of self-hate Amidst perpetual self-sacrifice.

The band of eternity Ushered her closer to the end. This link shackled her to Cement shoes, which Secured her to the bottom Of life’s deepest ocean.

That heavy weight lifted From finger some time ago, But on this day, From her heart.

Who are you Going to be, Girl?

What are you Going to see, Girl?

What are you going to break?

What are you going to make?

Who are you going to love?

What are you going to learn?

Who, Girl?

Who are you Going to be, Girl?

Her gaze dropped down In this house, For the last time.

Studying chipped toenail polish, And sandals older than Her daughter. Neglect of self, apparent Both inside and out.

Who, Girl?

Who are you Going to be, Girl?

She lifted her chin, Gazing back into Her own tired eyes And whispered,

“Brave”

Thank you for reading! For more poetry, please check out my collection of poems below:

Poetry that might turn you on, make you feel, but will always make you think.

A collection of poems by Roxy Wright

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